Louisiana Eats

Patents and Pop-Ups

Across the Bayou State, people are taking their destiny into their own hands and pursuing entrepreneurial dreams of owning their own business. On this week’s show, we encounter a Louisiana-style cornucopia of self-starters who forged their own path to find success in the sphere of food. We begin with Alfonzo Bolden, who, along with his brother Troy, is co-CEO of Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning Company, based out of Lafayette. While there's no denying their food talents, Alfonzo and Troy's true ...

Good Grief

Whether it's loss due to recent hurricanes or the overwhelming, devastating loss suffered the world over during the pandemic, grief has been an unwelcome guest in many people's lives these days. On this week's show, we take a look at grief, its effects, and the gifts that sometimes accompany it. We begin with Merissa Nathan Gerson, a new New Orleanians whose time here has been gravely marked by the unexpected death of her father. In her new book, "Forget Prayers, Bring Cake" Merissa shares a...

Life on the River's Edge

Eat It to Eradicate It

On this week’s show, we explore the intersections between hunting, gathering, fishing, and our changing environment. We begin at the Best of Bycatch event – a lighthearted competition hosted by the Southern Food & Beverage Museum back in 2017 – where a highly invasive fish is on the menu: the Asian Carp. Coastal scientist Alisha Renfro talks about how these newest invaders are wreaking havoc on our state's aquatic ecosystems, and Chef Philippe Parola of the Silverfin Group shares his Can't Be...

Culinary Historians

The origins of food and spirits are usually not well known and can sometimes be hard to track down.  After all, how do you figure out where something that’s been around for centuries originated? On this week’s show we’ll speak with several culinary historians about the history of some fabulous foods, and some spirits too. We begin with author and historical gastronomist Sarah Lohman.  Her book, 8 Flavors:  The Untold Story of American Cuisine recognizes the relationship between the eight fla...

Fine Tuning

Back in the early days of television, the Public Broadcasting System blazed the trail in the genre of food TV with the one and only Julia Child, whose series, The French Chef, changed the way Americans cook and eat. On this week’s show, we sit down with PBS's newest sensation, Chef Kevin Belton, whose fourth series, Kevin Belton's Cooking Louisiana, is being aired in homes across the nation. Kevin shares what he learned while shooting his latest venture, which features food from across our d...

Scandinavian Chill Down

There’s no getting around it – August is HOT down here in Louisiana, so we thought a virtual vacation in Scandinavia just might provide a little chill. We begin with chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson. His Scandinavian connection is that although Ethiopian born – he was raised by adoptive parents in Sweden, giving him an unusual world view. The James Beard Award-winner and Top Chef master is also author of the bestselling memoir, Yes, Chef. We sit down for an extended visit with Marcu...

Delta Blues

After a few glorious months where it looked as if the worst of the pandemic was behind us, a new surge of Covid-19 is now bearing down on Louisiana with a vengeance. A new enemy variant called Delta is coming after us - and this time, it’s after our children. With cases projected to peak sometime between September and November, elected officials and business leaders are weighing new measures to stem the outbreak. On this episode of Louisiana Eats we look back to how life was in the spring of ...

Just Desserts

From cakes to croissants to pralines – Louisiana has an affection for confection. This week, we satiate our sweet tooth with the help of some delightful dessert makers. We begin by getting a crash-course in the art of sugar blowing and sculpting with Sidney Galpern at the New Orleans Glassworks and Printmaking Studio. There, we encounter Chef Tory McPhail, who, along with a group of other prominent chefs, is there to learn the art of creating sugar sculptures. Then, the Cake Mix Doctor is i...

St. Tammany Taste Quick Bites: Chef Michael Gottlieb of Tchefuncte's and The Anchor

Michael Gottlieb, of Tchefuncte’s and The Anchor in Madisonville began his culinary journey the day he was born.  His family bakery, Gottlieb’s was established in 1884 making him a 5th generation baker at birth. Gottlieb’s of Savannah, GA was famous for many things, including being the bakery that first baked cookies for the Girl Scouts of America. In January of 2021 Michael and his brother made the difficult decision to finally shutter the family bakery and move on to other culinary ventur...

Tammany Taste Quick Bites: Chef Michael Gottlieb of Tchefuncte's and The Anchor

Tammany Taste Quick Bites: Chef Michael Gottleib of Tchefunte's and The Anchor

Toasting The Tokyo Games

After a year’s delay, the Summer Olympic Games are officially underway. Over 11,000 athletes from 205 countries are gathered in Tokyo, looking to bring home the gold in everything from archery to water polo. On this week's show, we raise a glass to intercontinental camaraderie by tasting five exotic spirits produced across the globe.  We begin our celebration the way they do in China, with a baijiu toast. American expat Derek Sandhaus introduces us to this ancient Chinese liquor, which has r...

Louisiana Eats Gulf Coast Blenders Quick Bite: MoBay Beignet Company

On this week’s podcast, we meet Gulf Coast Blenders customer, Jaclyn Robinson. To say divinity played a part in the birth of Mo’ Bay beignet company is an understatement. Mo’Bay’s founder, Jaclyn Robinson’s faith led her to open a beignet café that she’d never considered an option before. Her own five children were big fans of her beignets, which she served with her own homemade syrups instead of traditional powdered sugar. But a sign from God gave her the inspiration bring her beignets to t...

Gulf Coast Blenders Quick Bites: Mo'Bay Beignet Co.

On this week’s podcast, we meet Gulf Coast Blenders customer, Jaclyn Robinson. To say divinity played a part in the birth of Mo’ Bay beignet company is an understatement. Mo’Bay’s founder, Jaclyn Robinson’s faith led her to open a beignet café that she’d never considered an option before. Her own five children were big fans of her beignets, which she served with her own homemade syrups instead of traditional powdered sugar. But a sign from God gave her the inspiration bring her beignets to t...

A Sicilian Slice of Louisiana

From cuccidati to olive salad to St. Joseph Day altars, Sicilan foodways and traditions have had an immense influence on our state's cuisine and culture. On this week’s show, we talk with Louisiana natives who share a deep love and respect for their Sicilian heritage. We begin with Grace and Tony Mandina, whose family-run restaurant on the West Bank, Tony Mandina’s, has been welcoming guests in true Old World style for nearly 40 years. Those Mandinas are one in a million – good, hardworking ...

Louisiana Eats: It's Tea Time!

According to ancient Chinese legend, the discovery of tea was made in 2737 BC by Emperor Shen Nung while he was sitting under a tree as his servant boiled water. When some leaves of the tree fell into the water and the emperor consumed the accidental infusion, the course of hot beverages changed forever. The emperor was seated under a Camellia sinensis – the same plant where most teas are still derived from today. And believe it or not, Southern Mississippi appears to be an ideal environment...

It's Tea Time!

According to ancient Chinese legend, the discovery of tea was made in 2737 BC by Emperor Shen Nung while he was sitting under a tree as his servant boiled water. When some leaves of the tree fell into the water and the emperor consumed the accidental infusion, the course of hot beverages changed forever. The emperor was seated under a Camellia sinensis – the same plant where most teas are still derived from today. And believe it or not, Southern Mississippi appears to be an ideal environment...

The Sweet Taste of Bitters Success

Gulf Coast Blenders Quick Bites: Bernard Stolberg of The Vintage

On this week’s podcast we speak with the proprietor of a local beignet bistro, Bernard Stolberg. His charming little Garden District shop on Magazine Street between harmony and 8th has become quite popular with the locals and tourists alike for its fabulous beignets, and full bar. Usually there is an assortment of businesspeople, college students, and dog lovers soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying those tasty treats. On a rainy afternoon, we sat down with Bernard on the back patio -- that ...

The Ice Cream Underground

On this week's show, we take a journey into the Ice Cream Underground to uncover the magicians taking America's favorite dessert to new heights right here in Louisiana. We begin with Sam Caruso, who has overcome a host of challenges to find a sweet opportunity with Laozi Ice Cream. Then, we meet Rahm Haus Ice Cream's Jillian Duran, who draws on her fine pastry-making skills to create batches of ice cream that push the limits of what’s possible.  Finally, we satiate our sweet tooth with a ...

Powerful Women in the Restaurant Biz

The old adage is that a woman's place is in the kitchen. Despite that well-worn saying, it wasn't until the second half of the 20th century that women began finding their place in the restaurant kitchen. For this week's show, we gather together a powerful group of females who are breaking barriers and setting new standards for excellence in their fields. We begin with Nina Compton of Compére Lapin and Bywater American Bistro, the first Black female chef to receive the coveted James Beard "Be...

Powerful Women in the Restaurant Biz

The old adage is that a woman's place is in the kitchen. Despite that well-worn saying, it wasn't until the second half of the 20th century that women began finding their place in the restaurant kitchen. For this week's show, we gather together a powerful group of females who are breaking barriers and setting new standards for excellence in their fields. We begin with Nina Compton of Compére Lapin and Bywater American Bistro, the first Black female chef to receive the coveted James Beard "Be...

Tammany Taste Quick Bites: The English Tea Room

Just across Lake Pontchartrain, in the quaint little downtown of Covington there’s a charming yellow cottage filled with English tradition and taste. That’s the English Tea Room, established in 2002 by Jan and Tim Lantrip. Guests of the establishment experience one of the finest High Teas to be found anywhere on this side of the pond! When we sat down with Jan and Tim, we knew we were in for a spot of tea – but had no idea of the wealth of knowledge about to be served up with it!

St. Tammany Taste Quick Bites: The English Tea Room

Just across Lake Pontchartrain, in the quaint little downtown of Covington there’s a charming yellow cottage filled with English tradition and taste. That’s the English Tea Room, established in 2002 by Jan and Tim Lantrip. Guests of the establishment experience one of the finest High Teas to be found anywhere on this side of the pond! When we sat down with Jan and Tim, we knew we were in for a spot of tea – but had no idea of the wealth of knowledge about to be served up with it! A word to ...

Louisiana Eats Tammany Taste Quick Bite: The English Tea Room

Just across Lake Pontchartrain, in the quaint little downtown of Covington there’s a charming yellow cottage filled with English tradition and taste. That’s the English Tea Room, established in 2002 by Jan and Tim Lantrip. Guests of the establishment experience one of the finest High Teas to be found anywhere on this side of the pond! When we sat down with Jan and Tim, we knew we were in for a spot of tea – but had no idea of the wealth of knowledge about to be served up with it!

Breaking The Bonds of Silence - Louisiana Eats! Tours The Whitney Slavery Museum

On Thursday, Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday to commemorate the effective end of slavery in the United States, just days before the June 19 anniversary. This week, to mark the occasion, we revisit our 2016 trip to the Whitney Plantation, the only plantation museum in Louisiana that focuses entirely on the lives of enslaved people. The Whitney Plantation is one of three surviving Civil War-era sugar plantations located in St. John the Baptist Parish along the Mississippi River....

Breaking The Bonds Of Silence Louisiana Eats Tours The Whitney Slavery Museum

On Thursday, Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday to commemorate the effective end of slavery in the United States, just days before the June 19 anniversary. This week, to mark the occasion, we revisit our 2016 trip to the Whitney Plantation, the only plantation museum in Louisiana that focuses entirely on the lives of enslaved people. The Whitney Plantation is one of three surviving Civil War-era sugar plantations located in St. John the Baptist Parish along the Mississippi River....

Uplifting Food Memoirs

One of the most popular forms of literature today is the memoir. These days, folks with barely three decades under their belt are writing their memoirs, but on this week's show, we hear from four wise women who relate a lifetime of memories along with valuable lessons learned in theirs. We begin with Southern baker and activist Lisa Donovan, whose book, Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger is a raw, honest, and brave telling of a life that will leave you hungry for more. In her memoir, Lisa explores...

Drag Yourself to Brunch

Over the last several years, the dining category of breakfast and brunch have simply exploded across the nation. On this week's show, we’re looking at the popular weekend ritual in New Orleans and beyond. We begin with Jennifer Weishaupt, founder and CEO of the Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group. The Ruby Slipper Café has prospered and multiplied in a way that Jennifer and her husband Eric could never have anticipated when they opened their very first Mid City location in 2008. She tells us about...

Drag Yourself To Brunch

Over the last several years, the dining category of breakfast and brunch have simply exploded across the nation. On this week's show, we’re looking at the popular weekend ritual in New Orleans and beyond. We begin with Jennifer Weishaupt, founder and CEO of the Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group. The Ruby Slipper Café has prospered and multiplied in a way that Jennifer and her husband Eric could never have anticipated when they opened their very first Mid City location in 2008. She tells us about...

Culinary Graduations

Cooking Up Books From Scratch

Building a cookbook is a lot of work. From recipe testing to photography sessions to finalized editing – the process can be grueling. On this week's show, we hear how it gets done from beginning to end and meet some authors who fell in love with cookbooks at an early age. Brazilian-born New Orleanian Ana Riehlmann was four years old when her grandmother, Voinha, helped whet her appetite for the written word – using recipes. In her self-published food memoir, I Learned to Read with Recipe Boo...

Quick Bites: Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning

Cajun Nation is a Louisiana made seasoning blend that is catching fire in the world of flavor. Created by brothers, Alfonzo and Troy Bolden who grew up on a working plantation in the 1970’s, their voyage from sharecropper’s cabin to owning and operating a successful seasoning business makes for quite an amazing tale. The distinctive red cans of Cajun Nation seasoning deliver an authentic taste of bayou cuisine. As Troy says, “You bring the rice, and we’ll bring the spice!” The Red Can will s...

Louisiana Eats Quick Bite: Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning

Cajun Nation is a Louisiana made seasoning blend that is catching fire in the world of flavor. Created by brothers, Alfonzo and Troy Bolden who grew up on a working plantation in the 1970’s, their voyage from sharecropper’s cabin to owning and operating a successful seasoning business makes for quite an amazing tale. The distinctive red cans of Cajun Nation seasoning deliver an authentic taste of bayou cuisine. As Troy says, “You bring the rice, and we’ll bring the spice!” The Red Can will s...

Louisiana Eats: Born and Bread In New Orleans

If you've ever had a New Orleans poor boy then you know it's all about the bread. Real New Orleans French bread is something you can't get just anywhere, or at least that's what we thought. On this week's show, we get down to the dough of it and see what's happening with bread in the Big Easy. We begin with Graison Gill. For years, Bellegarde Bakery has been milling and baking fresh bread for over 120 local restaurants and markets. We visit his Apple Street bakery, where Graison explains how ...

Festing In Place, Louisiana Eats Style

It's full on festival time in the state that knows how to fest better than most – except once again, due to pandemic restrictions, there are no fests right now. Though with vaccines widely available, and the recent easing of Covid-19 rules, a future with safe public gatherings suddenly doesn’t seem so implausible. Inspired by WWOZ and local restaurants whipping up everything from cheesy crawfish bread to high-proof strawberry lemonade, on this week's show, we look back at some of our favorite...

Festin' In Place, Louisiana Eats! Style

It's full on festival time in the state that knows how to fest better than most – except once again, due to pandemic restrictions, there are no fests right now. Though with vaccines widely available, and the recent easing of Covid-19 rules, a future with safe public gatherings suddenly doesn’t seem so implausible. Inspired by WWOZ and local restaurants whipping up everything from cheesy crawfish bread to high-proof strawberry lemonade, on this week's show, we look back at some of our favorite...

Asian Foodways in America

Children's picture books often contain stories that grown ups can benefit from too. That's certainly true of Andrea Wang's new picture book, Watercress, an autobiographical tale of a child of immigrants discovering and connecting with her heritage. With illustrations by Jason Chin, Watercress takes taste memories to new highs and lows as Andrea recalls a moment in her childhood when her family foraged for the perennial plant on the roadsides of her rural Ohio home. Andrea and Jason join Loui...

A Taste of the State

From beignets to poor boys, gumbo to jambalaya, and crawfish to boudin, Louisiana’s cuisine is as eclectic as it is delectable. On this week’s show, we explore our state’s rich food culture, based on centuries of Creole and Cajun traditions. We begin with New Orleans native and Southern Food & Beverage Museum founder Liz Williams. She spent many years researching her award-winning book New Orleans: A Food Biography, which would go on to be selected for the One Book One New Orleans program du...

Louisiana Eats St Tammany Taste Quick Bite: Rieger's On The Trace

One of the hidden gems of St. Tammany Parish is the Tammany Trace. Originally a well travelled corridor for the Illinois Central Railroad, today the Trace travels 31 miles through five Northshore communities – accessible only by bike or on foot. The official trailhead is located on Koop Drive where Sarah and Billy Rieger are waiting to welcome you. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon ice cream cones and more – it’s the perfect way to begin or end your Tammany Trace adventure. It may amaze to l...

Tammany Taste Quick Bites: Rieger's On The Trace

One of the hidden gems of St. Tammany Parish is the Tammany Trace. Originally a well travelled corridor for the Illinois Central Railroad, today the Trace travels 31 miles through five Northshore communities – accessible only by bike or on foot. The official trailhead is located on Koop Drive where Sarah and Billy Rieger are waiting to welcome you. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon ice cream cones and more – it’s the perfect way to begin or end your Tammany Trace adventure. It may amaze to l...

St. Tammany Taste Quick Bites: Rieger's on the Trace

One of the hidden gems of St. Tammany Parish is the Tammany Trace. Originally a well-traveled corridor for the Illinois Central Railroad, today the Trace travels 31 miles through five Northshore communities – accessible only by bike, foot or horse. Across the street from the popular Mandeville Trailhead in Old Mandeville, Sarah and Billy Rieger are waiting to welcome you at Rieger’s On The Trace. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon ice cream cones and more – it’s the perfect way to begin or end you...

Taste Memories from the Marigny

On this week's show, we meet some folks who have moved on to new adventures in their lives. We begin with Chef Steve Himelfarb and his wife Becky Retz. In the summer of 2020, they closed their beloved bakery, the Cake Café, after 13 years of business. But this isn't the first major life change for them. Long before there was a Cake Café, Steve worked solely as a music engineer and producer – doing Grammy-nominated work with artists like Buckwheat Zydeco and Beausoleil. We hear about his caree...

Give Peas a Chance

Give Peas A Chance

On this week's show, we meet farmers, distillers, and plant breeders who are pioneers in their fields – and celebrate peas on earth. We begin with Ben Branson, founder of Seedlip – a distillery that produces non-alcoholic spirits using peas grown on his 300-year-old family farm in Northern England. Then, we learn about plant breeder Dr. Calvin Lamborn, known as the Father of the Sugar Snap Pea. We speak with his son, Rod Lamborn, who is working hard to preserve his late father’s legacy. ...

One Man's Trash

Legacies On The Move

One of New Orleans' greatest treasures are the legacy businesses that have kept locals wined and dined for generations. On this week's show, we learn about two institutions that share both an area code and the devotion of family required to keep a legacy going.   We begin with Deirdre Barrow Johnson and her husband Kenneth Johnson Jr. of Barrow’s Catfish. Deirdre is the third generation of the family that opened Barrow’s Shady Inn, one of the longest-running Black-owned restaurants in the ...

Legacies on the Move

One of New Orleans' greatest treasures are the legacy businesses that have kept locals wined and dined for generations. On this week's show, we learn about two institutions that share both an area code and the devotion of family required to keep a legacy going.   We begin with Deirdre Barrow Johnson and her husband Kenneth Johnson Jr. of Barrow’s Catfish. Deirdre is the third generation of the family that opened Barrow’s Shady Inn, one of the longest-running Black-owned restaurants in the ...

Louisiana Eats! Explores The Northshore

Located just across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, the area widely known as Louisiana's Northshore is a mere 40 minute drive from the French Quarter. As close as the Northshore is geographically, in every other way it is a world apart. Made up of multiple small towns, each with its own identity, St. Tammany Parish is a wonder to wander – which is exactly what we’re doing on this week’s show. We begin in Slidell at Emma's Famous Pralines, where Miss Emma Giron has devoted much of her li...